Arsenal In Talks With Jean-Michael Seri

But Gunners Aren’t Favourites To Snap Him Up

Arsenal are in talks over a move for the Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri.

The Gunners were one of a number of clubs linked with Seri last summer. However, the price being demanded by Nice was too high. Barcelona thought they had a deal last August that would have seen Seri move to the Nou Camp for a fee of €50million. However, the deal collapsed when Nice suddenly demanded an additional €10million.

Arsenal director of football relations Raul Sanllehi is believed to have been in contact with Seri’s agent. But the Gunners are by no means the favourites to do any deal this time. Chelsea are also believed to be interested and are in pole position to secure the Ivory Coast international’s signature.

However, neither Arsenal or Chelsea will play in the Champions League next season and that could have a bearing on Seri’s final destination. Also, the identity of both club’s managers is as yet unknown. Arsenal have yet to appoint a successor to Arsene Wenger while Chelsea are expected to fire Antonio Conte after this weekend’s FA Cup Final clash with Manchester United.

Seri began his career with ASEC Mimosas in his homeland. He headed to Portugal in 2012 for a season-long loan with Porto’s B team but was sold instead to Pacos de Ferreira in 2013. After two seasons there he headed to Nice.

Seri, 25, has scored twice this season in a campaign that saw Nice finish outside France’s European placings. He said last month that it hasn’t been a good campaign.

“For me this season is a failure,” he said, hinting that the events of last summer had an effect on him.

“I had to find some mental freshness … You have to be clear about reality.”